The Compulsive Hiker

Chicago is an old Potawatomi word meaning “wait in line here” and I got the full treatment at the Willis (formerly Sears) Tower.  I had a few hours between trains and figured I should see it while I was here.

You start with a line outside on the sidewalk.  Then you get inside into another line, then down an elevator and into another line.  Then through security into another line.  Then you buy a ticket ($17!!!) and get in another line for a brief movie.  They eventually let me skip the movie and move to another line – for an elevator.  I finally get to the 103rd floor after an hour an a half and almost as soon as I walk out of the elevator I see another  waiting line snaking around the core of the building.  I figured that was for people that wanted to go out on the sky ledge and decided to pass on that.  After walking around a bit and taking some pictures it became apparent that the line is for people that want to leave!  Having a train to catch and fearing another very long wait, I cut the sightseeing short and got in line.  Luckily, it only took about 30 minutes to get out.

The whole experience would have been better if I wasn’t rushed and didn’t have to  compete with so many people for the view.

So I walk out of Union Station wondering if I’ll be able to find Willis Tower and, well, there it was.

Count the floors.  They’re all there.

Looking south

Looking east

Looking north east

Looking north

The trip to and from Maryland was my first time on a train.  From KC you first take a 7.5 hour ride on the Southwest Chief to Chicago, then you have a layover of about 3 hours, then hop on the Capitol Limited for a ride of about 15.5 hours.  That’s the theory anyway.  In practice the first leg was fine but the Capitol Limited was late getting to Chicago so we were 2 hours late leaving.  Due to various flash flood warnings the train could only go about 25 miles/hour much of the way and we lost another 3.5 hours.  Instead of arriving in Maryland with plenty of time to rest and freshen-up before the wedding rehearsal, I got there late.  The trip back was on schedule, and features a 6 hour layover in Chicago – which will be the subject of the next post.

My seat was in the upper level of the coach.  There is lots of leg room, overhead reading lights, the seats recline, have leg rests, and the seat in front has a fold-out foot rest, a fold-down tray, and a place to stash magazines, etc.  I do wish the seats were a bit wider, but I also wish I was a bit narrower.  Some cars had 120VAC electrical outlets at each seat, older cars had a few outlets shared by many seats.  Fresh water was available in each car but it tasted a bit funny.  On the lower level of each car are small bathrooms that are similar to what you find on an airplane.  Be careful not to hit your head on the door if you have to sit down!

The train was quieter than I expected and there was a lot of swaying and a few big bumps  but I was able to get some sleep anyway. The food was decent, though pricey.  There was some good scenery, especially in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

All aboard!

Crossing the Mississippi River at Ft Madison Iowa

Somewhere in western Pennsylvania

Somewhere in eastern Pennsylvania?

This is my stop

West Virginia

Lake Michigan from Gary Indiana

The train also went right across the southern end of Lake Erie near Sandusky Ohio but it was not light enough for a picture.  I’ve now seen all the Great Lakes.

Looking towards downtown Chicago